On the payroll: Bishop Larry Silva ordains EJ Resinto on July 9, 2016, in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. In Hawaii, the newly ordained make the same base wages as senior priests. (HCH file photo)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Good Shepherd Sunday this weekend is an appropriate time to reflect on the work of our earthly shepherds and how much we appreciate them. These would be primarily our pastors, parish administrators and parochial vicars (formerly called associate pastors), but also those priests involved in other diocesan ministries and, of course, our chief shepherd, the bishop.
These men watch over their appointed flocks, tending to their spiritual care, at all hours, with much dedication, providing the sacraments, counseling, instruction, guidance, direction and support. Given the divine nature of their work, it may not occur to the average Catholic that they would get paid for it.
But everyone has to live, and living comes with living expenses. It is likely that most lay people do not know how much money a priest makes, if any. Some may think that God (in the form of a parish or diocese) provides — food, car, housing, living expenses, spending money, vacation allowance, etc. Consider the lilies of the field.
Here in the Diocese of Honolulu, a priest is taken care of financially, from ordination to burial, and even before ordination with some seminary costs. And this is done in the way it is done for most of us. They receive a paycheck. Every two weeks.
In Hawaii, a priest’s current annual salary, before taxes, is $40,550, regardless of seniority, advanced education or title. The amount is the same for a pastor, parochial vicar, monsignor, vicar general and hospital chaplain. And the bishop. The boss chooses to get equal pay.
This amount will change for some on July 1. Starting then, pastors, parish administrators and diocesan department heads will receive $200 more per month because of their added administrative responsibilities. Pastors of parishes with parochial schools will receive an additional $100 per month. So, the annual salary for a pastor with a parish school will be $44,150.
Out of this salary, a priest must pay for his own food, his car (including gas and maintenance), his living expenses, personal travel and other incidentals. Housing generally comes with the parish in the form of an existing rectory. The parish is also responsible to pay for the Social Security taxes the priests have to pay (they are considered self-employed) and for their car insurance up to an established amount. A priest’s housing allowance, Social Security, and car insurance, while not included in the annual salary noted above, is figured into his taxable compensation when paying Uncle Sam. (Yes, priests pay income taxes and pay into the Social Security system, too.)
A priest being responsible for his own food and car is a relatively new arrangement. In many cases, parishes used to cover many of those expenses.
The church, like other Hawaii employers, pays for a priest’s medical and dental insurance.
The amount of a priest’s compensation in the Diocese of Honolulu was recommended by the Presbyteral Council, based on what they determined to be “just and fair wages,” according to the diocese’s finance officer, Lisa Sakamoto. Guidance came from national priest compensation advisors. And Bishop Silva approved the recommendations.
Who pays a priest’s salary? For a parish priest, that is the responsibility of his parish. For the few parishes struggling to pay for their clergy, the bishop has commissioned a task force to study how to help those parishes struggling to keep the doors open.
Sakamoto said that at least one small neighbor island parish has successfully started an annual “shepherd’s care” special collection to help cover the cost of its clergy. The parishioners wanted to make sure their shepherd was taken care of, she said. The second collection has been well received.
Any money that comes a priest’s way through sacramental services such as weddings and funerals, or house and car blessings, is turned over in full to the parish. Mass intention offerings, however, go to the priest. It’s also reportable taxable income. Some priests decide not to take the Mass intention offerings and will either designate the offerings to the parish or to another charity of their choice.
Because diocesan priests do not take the vow of poverty, they may keep whatever they make. Priests of other dioceses working in Hawaii also make the same salary. And, of course, priests are under the same obligation as the lay faithful to be good stewards and contribute to the support of the parish, the diocese, and other charitable works.
Religious order priests, who do take the vow of poverty, get paid the same amount as diocesan priests. But their paychecks go straight to their religious congregations and not to them. The congregation then decides how much will be allotted to the individual priest for his expenses.
Retired priests receive a diocesan pension based on their years of service and Social Security. They are responsible to find their own housing and pay for their living expenses like most of us.
Changes to priest compensation policies this past year have provided our priests a fair and equitable wage. They also encourage accountability and personal responsibility, and prepare the priests for retirement.
But it is primarily the laity who provide that compensation. It is the generous Sunday offertory and donations that allow our priests to serve our faithful community. Good Shepherd Sunday is a good way to honor these men who have given their lives to ur Lord.
